Petro Gaz Angels transfer Wilma Salas during a game against the Creamline Cool Smashers of the PVL Enhanced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — With a pivotal showdown with their winning-streak rival looming, Petro Gaz knew who to turn to.
Betting on Cuban star Wilma Salas, the Angels defeated the Kool Smashers in a thrilling battle 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12 in a hard-fought rematch of the 2019 finals of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday.
Salas, who was named the 2019 Best Foreign Guest Player in Petro Gaz’s first championship, led the team with clutch hitting, scoring 34 points on 33 of 71 attempts as the Angels thwarted their rivals’ four-game winning streak.
“I know this game is important and my body wasn’t ready until two weeks ago, but I’m feeling better now so I expect to see more of Wilma on the court,” said Salas, who also recorded 17 digs to thwart Cream Line’s comeback. “I’m really happy to win this game. It was a difficult game because Cream Line is a really good team. Like I always say, if you train well, you’ll do well in the game.” [games].”
Read: PVL: Petro Gaz ends Creamline’s winning streak, starts their own
Petro Gaz coaches Koji Tudzurabara, Wilma Salas and Brooke Van Sickle talk about the five-set win over Creamline. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ZuBx8jQH6H
— Lance Agcaoil (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 13, 2024
Reigning All-Philippine Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle added 24 points in tandem with Salas and credited her teammate for leading the “dog fight” against Creamline.
“I’m really proud of Wilma. What I like about her is, obviously, she’s tall, but she can do everything for her height. She digs the ball, she’s a really good passer, she’s not a one-dimensional player, she’s got all the skills, so just having her around and on the court is a really big help,” said Van Sickle, who recorded an impressive 18 receptions.
“She’s experienced and she really leads the team at certain moments and really energizes everything. She really drives us forward, so I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to play alongside her.”
Wilma Salas. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Filipino-American spiker admitted she is feeling the pressure after losing three games in the first round and currently sitting in seventh place with three wins and three losses.
“Because of past performances, it felt like our backs were against the wall, fight or flight. We just take it day by day, whatever happens. We still have a lot of games to play, a lot of opportunities, so the reality is that even though we didn’t perform at our best in pool games, we’ll be OK knowing we still have a chance,” Van Sickle said. “We just need to motivate each other, stay consistent and take on strong teams. We just need to get as many points as we can to move on.”
Petro Gaz will face another PLDT rival at the Mall of Asia on Saturday before taking on Cherry Tigo next Thursday at the Filil Ecooil Center in San Juan City.
Read: PVL: Petro Gaz sweeps Choco Mucho to end slump
Salas and Van Sickle formed a formidable duo. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UqH3DLkXzJ
— Lance Agcaoil (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 13, 2024
Van Sickle and Salas will be hoping to use this big win over Creamline as momentum for a tough challenge ahead.
“I think it’s definitely a big confidence boost. They’re a good team and they’re at the top of their pool, so we just have to be consistent, stick together and take it point by point. We know we can’t go wrong in the playoffs because teams aren’t just going to turn it over and we’re all going to fight no matter what the score is,” Van Sickle said.
“I want to fight in this second round because I know I need this fight,” Salas added.
